The Need

Many men who had traumatic sexual experiences as boys struggle with disrupted relationships and careers as well as physical and mental health issues including depression, substance abuse, and self-destructive or violent behaviors. These men often seek (or are mandated into) treatment for a range of health and behavioral issues without disclosing – or even recognizing – the role that their negative childhood experiences play in their current problems.
Because of socialized expectations about manhood, therapists and other professional sometimes do not recognize the connections between traumatic boyhood experiences and adult problems, or adequately consider them during assessment or treatment.

Overview of Trainings

1in6 offers several training programs that explore the impacts of unwanted or abusive boyhood sexual experiences in the lives of men. These trainings highlight the most relevant issues for advocates and service providers from across a range of fields and levels of professional expertise.
We can offer several trainings to organizations at little or no cost, thanks to collaborations with local, state and national sexual violence response organizations, as well as foundations and other grant-making entities.
Trainings vary from a 90-minute breakout session for non-clinical service providers to a two-day training that’s ideal for clinicians and other advocates. All are appropriate for conferences, local and regional agency workshops, or as stand-alone seminars.
Every training we offer address those aspects of men’s lives – both positive and negative – that can affect their ability and willingness to address harmful childhood experiences. These include race, class, nationality, immigration status, ability, religion, sexual orientation and other influences that must be respected and honored if real understand and healing are to happen.

The Benefits

1in6 trainings increase advocates’ and service providers’ awareness of the many potential impacts of traumatic childhood sexual experiences on men’s mental and physical health. This knowledge and understanding fosters greater understanding and compassion, and more effective services.
Earlier identification of this common underlying source of suffering, paired with more effective interventions, can prevent many negative emotional, social and physical outcomes.
Bottom lines: Enhancing the well-being of men and their families and communities.

Current Training Programs

Serving and Understanding Men Abused as Boys

90-minute breakout workshop for advocates and other professionals who work with men, providing an overview of the particular ways men respond to childhood sexual abuse. The workshop covers:

• Common misunderstandings about men and sexual abuse
• Special barriers men face in disclosing childhood abuse
• How cultural norms may inhibit men from seeking treatment
• Discussion of existing resources and the challenge of finding therapists specifically trained to work with male survivors of sexual abuse
• Guidance on the critical need to remain neutral when raising the issue of sexual abuse or responding to a disclosure

This training is most useful for those with basic knowledge and understanding of sexual abuse dynamics.